1
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buckle
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Lakos-Bujas reiterated his tactical preference for stocks that are sensitive to the low-end consumer, a group that’s been buckling under years of higher-than-preferred inflation rates.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Her halterneck design also had an asymmetrical strap on the left side and a silver buckle trimmed with a small star charm, adding some subtle shine to the look.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buckle
Verb
When unstable, the polar vortex can cause the jet stream — a band of strong wind that generally travels from west to east and acts as a boundary between cold, polar air and warmer air farther south — to buckle, sending bitterly cold air from the Arctic southward into North America.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Lakos-Bujas reiterated his tactical preference for stocks that are sensitive to the low-end consumer, a group that’s been buckling under years of higher-than-preferred inflation rates.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
Will, as many fear, the NATO alliance started buckle under this strain?
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Her halterneck design also had an asymmetrical strap on the left side and a silver buckle trimmed with a small star charm, adding some subtle shine to the look.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for buckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckle
Verb
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And after the 2008 financial crisis, a handful of institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, participated in shaping regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening the overall financial system—standing in contrast to firms that collapsed or resisted new oversight.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Years of economic and social crisis, political repression, insecurity, and collapsing institutions forced millions of Venezuelans to leave their country and rebuild their lives abroad during Nicolás Maduro’s rule.—
Jhasua Razo,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But if Rubio is serious about breaking China's grip on critical minerals, his summit should devote equal attention to building up the secondary market for recycled materials.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Firm research shows mom-and-pop investors are typically devoting only a small portion of their overall portfolios to these speculative plays, while keeping most of their money in more traditional investments.—
Yun Li,Kate Rooney,Alex Harring,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This creates an uncomfortable loop.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The main changes occur on the upper, which swaps out the shoe’s usual ballistic nylon for a full-leather construction that extends to the lace loops, heel tabs and tongues.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of them go deep into the memory vault of childhood, recalling fishing trips and family gatherings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Nordstrom Lucky Brand Fair Isle Shawl-Collar Cardigan Both Lopez’s and Hudson’s sweaters appear to be from Polo Ralph Lauren (the former’s looks like this one that's no longer available, while the latter’s resembles this one that goes for $798).—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During vetting by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are required to show they were persecuted or face persecution in their home countries and, once in the US, must apply for green cards a year after admission.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The designation only applies to the sign, not the attached building, which houses Americana Pizza.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Which is why this vertical file fold technique can be a lifesaver.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
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In the last year, Minnesota has upgraded its in-arena lighting system, made a financial commitment to Kevin Garnett to bring the legend back into the organizational fold, as well as sporting a roster that’s over the salary cap.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Six movable struts give the cockpit full freedom of motion.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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But Black art is always compared, shared and given a value.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Distinguished by different hairdos and contrasting body language, Douglas, who can will himself to appear sedate, and James, who’s in a continual manic spiral, have more in common than either would care to admit.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Love credits Milos Forman for pulling her out of the spiral that happened during and after this period, and her role in The People Vs.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckle. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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